NFL Week 3 - Sunday Games / MNF R

Ravens (2-1): 19 - Colts (2-1): 22 (OT)

The Colts' defense stepped up in a surprising upset against the previously undefeated Ravens. While they couldn't entirely contain Lamar Jackson in the ground game (101 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns), they limited him to just 202 passing yards and sacked him 4 times. In the absence of Anthony Richardson, Zach Moss shouldered the load for Indianapolis' offense with an impressive 122 rushing yards, helping them stay competitive. However, the true standout of the game was Colts kicker Matt Gay, who nailed 4 field goals from over 50 yards, including the game-winning kick from 53 yards out.

Browns (2-1): 27 - Titans (1-2): 3

The Browns showcased a defensive clinic, effectively shutting down every offensive attempt by the Titans. They limited Derrick Henry to a mere 20 yards rushing, an unusually low impact for him in a game. Myles Garrett left his mark with an impressive 3.5 sacks. On the offensive front, Amari Cooper led Cleveland with 7 catches for 116 receiving yards and a touchdown. Deshaun Watson bounced back after a subpar Week 2 performance, passing for 289 yards and 2 touchdowns. If he can maintain performances like this, the Browns could become a serious contender in the AFC North.

Dolphins (3-0): 70 - Broncos (0-3): 20

Before you say anything, yes, this is the correct score. It seemed like the Dolphins executed their plays perfectly all day, even with their backups on the field. Tua Tagovailoa passed for 329 yards and 4 touchdowns while being extremely efficient, completing 23 out of 26 attempts. Tyreek Hill had an impressive performance with 157 yards on 9 receptions, including a touchdown, although he wasn't the main focus for Denver. De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert both had outstanding games as professional athletes. Achane gained 233 total yards and scored 4 touchdowns, while Mostert racked up 142 yards and also scored 4 touchdowns. There's not much else to say except that the Dolphins delivered one of the greatest offensive performances of the 21st century, and they appear ready to compete for a Super Bowl.

Commanders (2-1): 3 - Bills (2-1): 37

Yet another game that ended in a blowout! The Bills dominated the Commanders in every facet of the game. Buffalo's defense made things extremely challenging for Sam Howell, intercepting him 4 times and sacking him 9 times. Washington was fortunate to even score a pitiful field goal with 47 seconds left to avoid a shutout at home. Josh Allen was the standout for the Bills, amassing 218 passing yards, 46 rushing yards, and 2 total touchdowns, with 111 of those passing yards going to receiver Stefon Diggs. James Cook also provided the Bills with a perfect offensive balance, rushing for 98 yards on the ground.

Jets (1-2): 10 - Patriots (1-2): 15

As expected, this was another low-scoring game between the Jets and Patriots. Matthew Judon led the New England defense with 2 sacks, including the safety that sealed the victory. Zach Wilson struggled to get anything going on offense and appeared flustered throughout the game. However, there was one drive in the 4th quarter where Wilson marched right down the field and scored quickly. I thought this might lead to a momentum shift, but the Patriots' defense remained strong and left their mark on the game late.

Lions (2-1): 20 - Falcons (2-1): 3

The Lions bounced back with a victory against the Falcons after a tough loss in overtime last week. Detroit seemed to have cracked the code for stopping Atlanta, which involved forcing them to rely on their passing game. They were committed to shutting down the Falcons' rushing attack, allowing only 44 yards on the ground. Even when Atlanta attempted to pass, they faced considerable challenges. Desmond Ridder was sacked 7 times, with 2 of those sacks credited to Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions' offense was firing on all cylinders, led by Amon-Ra St. Brown, who recorded 9 catches for 102 yards. Sam LaPorta also had a standout performance for Detroit, amassing 84 yards on 8 receptions, including his first career touchdown.

Packers (2-1): 18 - Saints (2-1): 17

The Packers staged a miraculous 4th quarter comeback, overcoming a 17-0 deficit to score all 18 of their points in the final quarter. After Derek Carr got injured for the Saints, it appeared to leave the door open for Green Bay to make a comeback and potentially secure the victory. Jordan Love played admirably, scoring 2 crucial touchdowns in the last 8 minutes of the game, ultimately sealing the win for the Packers. Love finished the game with 259 passing yards and 39 rushing yards.

Jaguars (1-2): 17 - Texans (1-2): 37

The Texans got off to a hot start in Jacksonville, leading 17-0 at halftime. While we've seen the Jaguars make a few comebacks in the second half last year, this was not one of those times. C.J. Stroud continues to build his case as an early Rookie of the Year favorite, throwing for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns on Sunday. Another Texans rookie, Tank Dell, appears to have developed excellent chemistry with Stroud, as he caught 5 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. The AFC South is becoming much more intriguing, especially if Houston and Indianapolis can maintain their strong performances.

Vikings (0-3): 24 - Chargers (1-2): 28

Justin Herbert led the Chargers to their first win of the season against the Vikings. Herbert had to shoulder the offense with 405 passing yards and 4 touchdowns, as Los Angeles struggled to gain positive yardage while running the ball. Keenan Allen provided substantial support, catching an impressive 18 passes for 215 yards and even throwing a touchdown. The Chargers had an opportunity to close out the game by going for a fourth down and 1 at their own 24-yard line, but they failed to convert. This decision gave Minnesota the ball just outside the red zone, but Kirk Cousins had a pass deflected in the endzone that was intercepted by the Chargers. Los Angeles narrowly escaped defeat, and Brandon Staley is fortunate they won the game, as a loss might have put his job in jeopardy.

Seahawks (2-1): 37 - Panthers (0-3): 27

Bryce Young was injured and unable to play, resulting in Andy Dalton getting the start for the Panthers. Carolina actually held the lead going into halftime, but once the Seahawks scored their first points of the second half, there was no turning back. Despite an impressive performance from Adam Thielen, who recorded 11 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown, it wasn't enough for the team to secure a victory. Kenneth Walker had a strong showing for Seattle, amassing 156 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns. DK Metcalf also had a standout day with 112 receiving yards on 6 catches.

Chiefs (2-1): 41 - Bears (0-3): 10

How many blowouts will we see in Week 2? Unfortunately, the answer is 'too many.' The most significant story in this game wasn't even on the field; it was the presence of Taylor Swift at the Chiefs game, watching Travis Kelce play. Fortunately for the Bears, the telecast focused on her and not the actual game. Chicago couldn't manage to score until the fourth quarter, and their defensive performance was lackluster. Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes passed for 272 yards and 3 touchdowns, effectively dismantling the Bears' secondary. At least the Bears didn't suffer the worst loss of Week 3!

Cardinals (1-2): 28 - Cowboys (2-1): 16

After looking very impressive in the first few games, it appeared that the Cowboys highly underestimated their opponent. Arizona never trailed in this game, and they were determined not to squander another lead like they did last week. The only bright spot for Dallas was Tony Pollard, who amassed 122 rushing yards. On the other hand, James Conner excelled for the Cardinals with 116 total yards from scrimmage. At the start of the season, many thought Arizona was aiming to secure Caleb Williams, but this team has proven to be competitive so far this season.

Raiders (1-2): 18 - Steelers (2-1): 23

The Raiders scored right out of the gate but didn't put any more points on the board until the fourth quarter. However, the main story of this game revolves around the poor decision made by Josh McDaniels to kick a field goal with a little over two minutes left. Opting for a field goal in that situation still left them at a one-score deficit, so going for the touchdown would have made more sense. Las Vegas still had all their timeouts and the two-minute warning at their disposal if they didn't score a touchdown, providing them with additional time management options. The Steelers received the subsequent kickoff and secured the win simply by getting a first down. Davante Adams was clearly the standout player on the field, scoring the only 2 touchdowns for the Raiders while catching 13 passes for 172 receiving yards. Despite his remarkable performance, the Raiders have now fallen to their opponent for the second consecutive week.

Buccaneers (2-1): 11 - Eagles (3-0): 25

The Eagles maintained their undefeated season by defeating the Buccaneers with ease. Philadelphia never trailed in this game, thanks in large part to their impressive offensive performance. Even though Jalen Hurts threw 2 interceptions, he still passed for 277 yards and had 2 total touchdowns. Passing wasn't where the Eagles excelled on the offensive end; it was the rushing attack, particularly D'Andre Swift, who had 130 rushing yards on 16 carries. This Philadelphia team appears to be the real deal, with their potent offense complemented by a stellar defense, making them a strong contender for a return to the Super Bowl.

Bengals (1-2): 19 - Rams (1-2): 16

Joe Burrow ended up playing in this game and led the Bengals to a victory despite his calf injury. He turned to his reliable receiver, Ja'Marr Chase, who had a standout performance with 12 catches for 141 yards. Chase had more receptions on Monday than he did in the first two weeks combined. Burrow played it safe on offense and leaned on his defense, which performed exceptionally well. The Cincinnati defense intercepted Matthew Stafford twice and sacked him 6 times. Consistent performances like this from their defense will be crucial if the Bengals want a shot at making the playoffs, especially given Burrow's injury.